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16th ward alderman Donna Baringer talks about 5401 Itaska via the Southampton Yahoo Group (I didn't edit for spelling or grammar):
For those who did not see channel 2 news, I attempted to make sure all the facts were given so that the story did not have a negative impact on our neighbrhood. This house located at 5401 Itaska has been on the radar screen for myself and Sandy Colvin for 4 years. In the last year we have worked closely with the neighbors to try and get it resolved. The house has been under building code violations for over 8 years and when we passed the new building code violation legislation last year this
property was one of the first in the 16th ward to be placed under the new law. The goal was to try and encourage the homewoner to take some action. Unfortunatly the person who inherited the house from her parents did nothing and has little and continued to let the property be neglected. By law no one can come inside a persons home wihtout just cause.
Due to the observant neighbors last week, they noticed the door knocked in on the front which gave the police due cuase to enter the FIRST floor only. What they found on the first floor was deplorable and they called the health department. The health department investigated and odered a summons of condemnation. By law you can not board up a bulidng if there is any questions if there might be a livng person or animal in it. This gave the city of St. Louis the legal right to go upstairs which is what happneed yesterday.
Sandy Colvin and I met animal control, police and building inspectors at the property yesterday and what was found was beyond my comprehension. As someone who is a pet lover I was very upset. There were over 30 cats in cages, more running loose, 4 dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs. All living in years of feces. The owner had to give them food periodically that is how they survived. I congratulate all those involved that helped get this taken care of.
It is important that eveyone understand that we must follow the law and are just as frustrated as everyone else when we have properties such as these that negatively impact our neighbrhoods. But as I state before it was the neighbors close watch on the property that moved us forward and that is why it takes everyones involvment to resolve such issues. we are all thankful that the animals will be taken care of and the property owner will be issued a animal hoarding summons. Now we will be working
to get this property cleaned up. Please come to the next Southampon Neighborhood Assoc. meeting and we will discuss this matter and let everyone know where we are on it. Since our all out initiative to create an active inner neighborhood business district on Macklind we look forward to this corner becoming another asset to macklind.
sincerely.
donna baringer
16th ward alderman
I appreciate the alderman's response, but I have to wonder why it takes 4 years and longer to rid a neighborhood of a problem property. Too much red tape, or just playing by the rules? In any event, it's clear something must change.
For those who did not see channel 2 news, I attempted to make sure all the facts were given so that the story did not have a negative impact on our neighbrhood. This house located at 5401 Itaska has been on the radar screen for myself and Sandy Colvin for 4 years. In the last year we have worked closely with the neighbors to try and get it resolved. The house has been under building code violations for over 8 years and when we passed the new building code violation legislation last year this
property was one of the first in the 16th ward to be placed under the new law. The goal was to try and encourage the homewoner to take some action. Unfortunatly the person who inherited the house from her parents did nothing and has little and continued to let the property be neglected. By law no one can come inside a persons home wihtout just cause.
Due to the observant neighbors last week, they noticed the door knocked in on the front which gave the police due cuase to enter the FIRST floor only. What they found on the first floor was deplorable and they called the health department. The health department investigated and odered a summons of condemnation. By law you can not board up a bulidng if there is any questions if there might be a livng person or animal in it. This gave the city of St. Louis the legal right to go upstairs which is what happneed yesterday.
Sandy Colvin and I met animal control, police and building inspectors at the property yesterday and what was found was beyond my comprehension. As someone who is a pet lover I was very upset. There were over 30 cats in cages, more running loose, 4 dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs. All living in years of feces. The owner had to give them food periodically that is how they survived. I congratulate all those involved that helped get this taken care of.
It is important that eveyone understand that we must follow the law and are just as frustrated as everyone else when we have properties such as these that negatively impact our neighbrhoods. But as I state before it was the neighbors close watch on the property that moved us forward and that is why it takes everyones involvment to resolve such issues. we are all thankful that the animals will be taken care of and the property owner will be issued a animal hoarding summons. Now we will be working
to get this property cleaned up. Please come to the next Southampon Neighborhood Assoc. meeting and we will discuss this matter and let everyone know where we are on it. Since our all out initiative to create an active inner neighborhood business district on Macklind we look forward to this corner becoming another asset to macklind.
sincerely.
donna baringer
16th ward alderman
I appreciate the alderman's response, but I have to wonder why it takes 4 years and longer to rid a neighborhood of a problem property. Too much red tape, or just playing by the rules? In any event, it's clear something must change.
1 comments:
By
Mark, at
8:46 AM
Sounds like a hoosier scene. The cops havene't even discovered the ferret wing of the home yet.